USEFULNESS OF UPPER LIP BITE TEST IN PREDICTING DIFFICULT LARYNGOSCOPIC INTUBATION

Dr. Rajesh.S.R; Dr. Shruti T Bhandari; Dr. Shabnam Ara

Volume : IX, Issue : IV, April - 2020

USEFULNESS OF UPPER LIP BITE TEST IN PREDICTING DIFFICULT LARYNGOSCOPIC INTUBATION

Dr. Rajesh. S. R, Dr. Shruti T Bhandari, Dr. Shabnam Ara

Abstract :

Background: Unanticipated difficult laryngoscopy and tracheal intubation always remain a primary concern for an anaesthesiologist. The upper lip bite test (ULBT) is a simple, single, bedside test that can be used preoperatively for evaluation of difficult airway. In this study, we plan to determine the sensitivity and specificity of the Upper Lip Bite Test in predicting difficult laryngoscopic intubation. Methodology: A prospective, observational study was conducted in 21 patients posted for surgery under general anaesthesia from January 2020 to Feuary 2020 in our Institution. Preoperatively, airways of the patients were evaluated using ULBT. Difficulty of laryngoscopy at intubation was graded according to the method described by Cormack and Lehane. The preoperative assessment data and the intubation findings were used to determine the accuracy, Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values for ULBT. Results: The mean age of the patients was 33.14�13.21 years. 10 (47.6%) were males and 11 (52.4%) were females. Two (9.5%) patients were found at laryn¬goscopy to have difficult intubation. The calculated accuracy, sensitivity, specifici¬ty, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of ULBT were 95.2%, 100%, 94.74%, 66.6% and 100% respectively. Conclusion: Upper lip bite test (ULBT) is a quick, simple bedside test that is highly accurate, sensitive and specific for predicting difficult intubation.